Category Archives: Choices

Does God Speak Through Dreams Today?

Posted on April 27, 2017 by russellmckinney

In the days before Christ’s death and resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell His followers (Acts 2:1-4), one of God’s primary ways of speaking to people was through dreams. This was especially true concerning His prophets. … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Dreams, God's Will, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“What Are You Doing Here?”

Posted on April 17, 2017 by russellmckinney

Elijah had recently experienced one of the greatest victories of his life in defeating and executing Queen Jezebel’s 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-40). Afterward, he probably hoped that Jezebel would admit defeat and stop her … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Backsliding, Change, Choices, Courage, Depression, Disobedience, Faith, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Problems, Service, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Man Who Had to Lose His Eyes to See

Posted on March 28, 2017 by russellmckinney

It’s a shame that many people won’t become spiritually broken unless some type of tragedy happens to them. Samson is a classic case in point. He was Israel’s strongman, the champion of the tribe of Dan and the slayer of … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Brokenness, Character, Choices, Confession, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Work, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Separation, Sex, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Submission, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kicking at the Goads

Posted on March 20, 2017 by russellmckinney

When the risen Jesus met Saul of Tarsus – who would become the apostle Paul – on the Damascus road, one of the things He told Saul was, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Choices, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Guidance, God's Will, Guilt, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Terms of Salvation

Posted on March 18, 2017 by russellmckinney

A businessman was trying to win his banker acquaintance to Jesus. After the businessman had shared the story of Christ’s virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection, he pressed the banker to believe in Jesus as Savior. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Choices, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Eternal Security, Evangelism, Grace, Heaven, Salvation, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God “Goes Abraham” on You

Posted on March 8, 2017 by russellmckinney

I hope we can all agree that it’s never a good thing to miss God’s will. The fact is, though, that some trips outside God’s will result in a figurative slap on the wrist, while others result in a figurative … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Will, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Have You Dug Your Ditches?

Posted on December 15, 2016 by russellmckinney

And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Decisions, Faith, God's Timing, God's Will, God's Work, Needs, Obedience, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Micah’s “Church” (part 2 of 2)

Posted on December 3, 2016 by russellmckinney

As we pick back up with our story, the young Levite named Jonathan has just been hired to serve as the priest of the “church” that Micah has set up at his home. This “church” is a shrine Micah has … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Disobedience, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Influence, Ministry, Preaching, Temptation, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Styx, My Son, & Me

Posted on November 17, 2016 by russellmckinney

My oldest son, Ryan, attends Johnson University, a Christian college located about ten minutes outside Knoxville, Tennessee. Johnson is a small, private school that has an on-campus attendance of approximately 1,000. Ryan is a sophomore there, lives in a dorm, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Choices, Christian Liberty, Conscience, Fatherhood, God's Will, Guilt, Inner Peace, Parenting, Personal | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons Learned From the Brink of Canaan

Posted on November 9, 2016 by russellmckinney

The book of Joshua is the Bible’s record of how the Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, claimed their promised land of Canaan. Unfortunately for the Israelites, however, four decades earlier their initial attempt at completing that assignment had produced disastrous results. … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Comfort, Courage, Disobedience, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Judgment, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment